Molecular Biophysics of Membranes

Conference Summary

This FASEB SRC will focus on membranes and membrane proteins. Membranes define the boundaries of cells and sub-cellular compartments. Membrane proteins, which represent over 25% of proteins and over 50% of drug targets, play key roles in many life processes. Advances in methodology have led to tremendous recent progress in this field. For instance, dramatic increases in the number of membrane protein structures known at atomic resolution provide the foundation for mechanistic studies and drug development efforts. Advances in microscopy methods are enabling visualization of biological processes involving membranes, and structure determination of large membrane-bound complexes. The conference program includes sessions on a variety of membrane proteins and complexes, as well as on the complexities of the membrane itself – the roles of its domains and shapes in various biological processes. Topics will include mechanisms and folding of membrane proteins of both fundamental and medical importance.

This SRC is of interest to a broad range of scientists studying membrane-related biological processes. This conference stimulates the exchange of ideas and perspectives between those using computational methods and those using experimental methods, those focusing on the membrane lipids and those focusing on the membrane proteins, those studying model membranes and those studying biological membranes, those seeking to develop new methods and those seeking the best methods to address key structure/function questions. The goal of this conference is to bring together these diverse groups of scientists from physics, chemistry, biochemistry, engineering, and biological disciplines for cross-fertilization that spurs advances in the exciting and important field of membrane biology.

Attendees from all career stages are welcome and will have the opportunity to present their work in posters and selected talks. An exciting poster-preview session the first evening will introduce all presenters to the attendees, and free time in the afternoons will foster informal ineractions. Participants will gain knowledge of methods and systems that are relevant to their membrane-related research, contacts for networking and mentoring, and inspiration for new research directions and collaborations. Participation in this long-running conference series promotes an interactive community of researchers who recognize that integrating a rich variety of approaches has been a powerful means to advance understanding of the physical chemistry foundations of membrane biology.

Important Deadlines:

Early bird registration deadline May 9, 2018

Last day to register May 23, 2018

Highlights

Two Keynote lectures that each provide bridges between the diverse and important topics of this conference

Additional speakers selected from the submitted abstracts to give short talks integrated throughout the sessions

All poster presenters not selected for talks will give a brief poster preview in an exciting initial session

Keynote Speakers

Professor Donald HilgemannUniversity of Texas Southwestern
Sponsored by the Society of General Physiologists

Official Conference Lodging

The sleeping rooms at St. Bonaventure are apartment style lodging, with four single bedrooms with a shared 1 ½ baths. The rooms are air conditioned and can be locked. Each person will be provided an individual key for their room upon check in.

We are unable to book additional nights at St. Bonaventure University. If you plan to arrive early or stay beyond the conference dates, you must make your own reservations at one of the off-site locations for the extra nights you require. You are responsible for payment upon check-out.